BASKETBALL Hoops and Lions Set for Winner Takes All Clash

The Nivea For Men's Regular Season concludes this weekend with the winner takes all Southern Conference clash between HOOPS and Limerick Lions - the only outstanding game before the play-off's.The winner of HOOPS and Limerick Lions will be guaranteed third spot in the Southern Conference due to both sides' superior points difference in the head to head with Abrakebabra Tigers, who currently occupy third position with 30 points.

HOOPS have yet to win in 2009 but maximum points at home to Lions on Sunday will ensure a quarter final play-off clash against Dublin rivals UCD/Marian. Progress to the play-off's would at least present their Head Coach Ahmad Smith with an opportunity to end their season on a high after a turbulent couple of months ruined by injury to a number of key players and a loss of form. The Tallaght based club are without long term injury absentees Joey Haastrup (knee injury) but await a late fitness to see if Niall Duggan returns to the squad. "We have had a couple of chances to make the play-off's and have failed to get it but it's clear what we have to do on Sunday," said HOOPS Head Coach Smith. "We wanted to confirm our place against DCU Saints on Sunday but it didn't work out for us but this is a massive opportunity to make amends for what has been a very difficult period for us. "Limerick will be so up for it against us on Sunday," he added. "No one expected them to beat Belfast Star but to win it the way they did was unbelievable and the momentum will carry them into this weekend. "This season has been so up and down but if we manage to get into the play-off's we will be going into them to try and upset the odds."

Meanwhile, Limerick Lions looked to be ending their campaign last Saturday before a dramatic comeback topped off by a stunning late basket courtesy of 17-year-old Andrew Dawson, that secured a shock 84-82 win over in-form Belfast Star and a chance this Sunday to win a place in the play-off's. Lions' season has been dogged by financial problems which forced them to release their Head Coach Sasa Punosevac but they have managed to bounce back. Since JP Nerbun has stepped in to take the reigns, they have already managed to beat DART Killester and now Star in 2009. "It looked like our season was fizzling out with two minutes to go against Star but somehow we managed to pull it out of the fire," said Head Coach Nerbun. "Everything we touched seemed to go in and hopefully we can bring that sort of luck into Sunday.

"HOOPS at home will be difficult," he added. "They have had their problems but have match winners. We will hopefully be at full strength but it will still be a very tough task."